Hi anyone who reads this.. not too sure how to start this off but basically, I have just gotten access to/seen my blood test results which were testing my TSH, TF4 and TF3 (tested Tuesday afternoon). To add some background, this test was done because I had surgery back in October 2022, removing half my thyroid after a very large goitre developed, and the bloods taken post-surgery on 19th Dec showed high TSH (7.28 mIU/L with range of 0.35 - 4.94) so the specialist sent a letter to me/the GP recommending I have another blood test (specifically testing TS3 and 4 this time) in a few months to see how it goes.
So, I booked this blood test as recommend (prompted mostly as I truly believe I have developed symptoms akin to hypothyroidism, e.g. weight gain, headaches, hair loss, dry skin/mouth, abnormal exhaustion etc etc etc. - all stated to the GP when we were discussing booking this blood test recently).
So according to this, I’m within normal range, just with slightly high TSH.
.. I haven’t heard a word from the GP, so can only assume they think these are fine. Is it actually worth me chasing them up? or will they just palm me off saying I’m within range for TS3 & TS4 so there’s nothing more to be done??
I kind of feel like I’m going mad feeling nearly all the symptoms yet it’s not reflected in the results! They didn’t do a full blood test covering blood cell count, vit c, etc. this time - but the one time they did test this where I actually have access to the results (back at the start of all this in Nov 2021) I can see everything was pretty much perfect, and I never heard anything about that type of test result flagging after any of my other blood tests since then either, so can only assume its all still fine.
Sorry for such a long post! I know I can waffle on but hope it makes sense.
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nb2224
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Actually, it is showing in the blood test results, if anyone knows how to interpret them. But, I doubt your doctor does!
All three results need to be looked at in conjunction with each other, not as individual, unconnected entities, as doctors tend to do.
Firstly, the TSH. It's only slightly over-range, but had you had the blood draw before 9 am, it would have been higher (but impossible to say by how much). Testing TSH in the afternoon is never a good idea becasue of its circadian rythm. However, it is too high because a euthyroid TSH is around 1, so it is showing a problem.
Your FT4 may be in-range, but it is much too low. A euthyroid FT4 will usually be around mid-range. So, that is why the TSH is so high.
Your FT3 looks good, but it is higher in-range than the FT4, percentage-wise. Which is not 'normal'. And, that is because what's left of your thyroid is struggling to keep up with the stimulation it's getting from the TSH, and therefore making more direct T3 than T4 - which has to be converted - to keep you alive. But, your thyroid cannot keep that up forever.
This results are therefore quite loudly shouting that you should be put on thyroid hormone replacement, sooner rather than later.
As already detailed it is essential to look at these 3 readings together to understand them :
T4 is basically a storage hormone which the body needs a decent level of so to be able to convert it to T3 - the active hormone that runs the body - as and when needed and generally speaking the T3 would be a smaller percentage through it's range than the T4 through its range.
Your T4 is around 15% through it's range BUT your T3 is around 66% through its range :
Meaning that your body is working in overdrive to try and find more T3 to relieve your symptoms of hypothyroidism but there is nothing much left in the T4 ' store ' as your T4 is much too low.
The logical solution to reverse this imbalance of the T3/T4 ratio is to prescribe some T4 - Levothyroxine which will raise your T4 storage hormone and allow easier conversion between these 2 interconnected thyroid hormones.
The body should be holding a decent level of T4 in reserve to convert to T3 as and when needed.
Generally we feel at our best when our T4 is in the top quadrant of its range at around 75 % - 85% and this should then convert to a decent level of T3 at around 65% -75% - without the body going through the level of stress it is currently under, trying to keep you well and symptom free.
You are hypothyroid and it's quite logical having lost half of your thyroid that you will need a prescription for T4 thyroid hormone support.
Your TSH is high and shouting out for more hormones and we generally feel better when this reading is low and towards the bottom of its range.
So - to recap :
A " normal reading " would look something like :-
TSH - under 2 probably under 1 :
T4 - in the top quadrant at around 80% with a T3 running slightly behind at around 70% :
Your body is under a lot of stress and working in overdrive to try and compensate for this shortfall in T4 and doubt you can sustain this long term.
You are entitled to see and have a copy of all your medical records - and these results need to be actioned on sooner rather than later.
Yes you are ' in the ranges ' which just makes a mockery of blood tests when looked at as individual readings and with no understanding of the consequences of each on another.
I'm battling these sorts of results too.Gp will not up my meds as he says I'm in normal ranges TSH4.88.A bit frustrating as I have all the symptoms too.
Wow, thank you all so much for your responses and insight!
This is all certainly very interesting to read, and it's really quite reassuring to hear that the GP should actually be doing something about these results and following up with me, instead of the silence I have received.
I will certainly be chasing them up now and hopefully have some luck getting treated, especially with all the advice offered here and additional resources I can armour myself with!
Thanks again, I truly do appreciate the help and guidance that's been provided here (I definitely feel less crazy now if nothing else 😄)
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